Maintenance Tip: Cleaning Burner Grates and Oven Racks

Sure, we all know it’s best to clean burner grates and racks as soon as possible after a spill — but most of the time, getting dinner on the table takes priority. Now you’re left with the sad reality of hardened gunk.

Try plain, old dish soap and water first. If that doesn’t work, spray the grates with oven cleaner and place them in a plastic bag. Tie the bag and let the grates sit overnight. After 24 hours, wash them again with soap and water to make sure no oven-cleaner residue remains.

Can’t stand the fumes? You can also put your grates in a resealable baggie with a ¼ cup of ammonia. A 50/50 solution of water and ammonia works, too.

Keep in mind that ammonia should never be mixed with bleach, though, and you should always wear gloves when working with these materials.

Most burner grates and racks are dishwasher-safe, so they can be washed in the dishwasher as well.